CONCORDIA EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH
A Brief History
A Concordia Timeline
1859 - A Bible Study group is formed by thirteen people meeting in a Chesnut hill shoemaker's shop. The Deutsche Evangelisch Lutherische Concordia Kirche is born on May 29, with the Rev. J.J. Strine as pastor.
1861 - After meeting in Ironville School for two years, the first church building is erected at the foot of the present cemetery.
1862 - The second pastor, the Rev. J. A. Darmstaetter, is called, and serves 37 years. The first bell is purchashed for the steeple.
1872 - The first organ is purchased for $182.00.
1885 - The church bell cracks and is replaced with a new 340-pound one bearing the inscription "Concordia - Gott Allein Die Ehre.".
1888 - A charter is granted to the church on the 20th of February.
1906 - English is introduced into services conducted in German.
1921 - Concordia enters into a joint parish with St. James Lutheran in Columbia.
1926 - Land adjacent to the top of the cemetary is purchsed for a new building.
1935 - Ground breaking for the new church takes place on the 6th of May; and the completed church is dedicated on the 27th of October! The cost of the unfurnished building is $11,000.
1940 - All church services are now conducted in English.
1957 - Concordia separates from St. James to become an independent parish. A new parsonage is dedicated on the 8th of December.
1962 - A new educational wing built and dedicated.
1967 - The Mountville Ministerium is created, with Concordia one of five members.
1975 - A new organ is purchased and dedicated to Ruth Kline, organist for 47 years!
1979 - Present pastor, the Rev. Thomas Rundell, is called as 18th minister to serve the congregation.
1985 - The chancel is remodeled and a front narthex is added to the sanctuary. Electronic chimes are installed in the belltower. Communion is now given weekly.
1987 - A secretary is now employed for the church office.
1991 - Two Sunday services are now resumed after 25 years of a single service.
1997 - The church observes the 25th anniversary of Pastor Rundell's ordination.
2007 - Pastor Rundell retires after 28 years of service to the parish.
This rural church of German farmers and ore-mine workers has given way to a thriving suburban one. These significant events over the past 137 years were sustained and nourished by this congregation's faith in God. A congregation that grew from the original thirteen to the present 427 confirmed, communing, and contributing members. With God's blessing, may Concordia continue "Growing in Grace".
